10-Day Forecast

Thursday

Dec 20, 2012 at 12:01 AM

The best bits of culture and flat-out fun in the days ahead.

By Asher Brown-PinskyCorrespondent

Dec. 20:Relaxing roam on the range: A day of relaxing guided tours is offered today through the “Gentle Walk and Talk” program at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Attendees will be given a relaxing and untaxing one-mile tour of the park, with pauses for discussions and information. Tours begins at 9 a.m., and participants are asked to make advance reservations at the visitor center by calling 466-4100 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Dec. 20-23:Holiday plays at the Hipp: The Hippodrome Theatre’s Christmas season features the return of “A Tuna Christmas,” which portrays the comical competition for the best yuletide lawn display in Tuna, Texas. The comedy alternates with Mary Hausch’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” a Gainesville tradition with Rusty Salling in his 23rd year as Ebenezer Scrooge. Final performances for “A Tuna Christmas” are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Final performances of “A Christmas Carol” are 7:30 tonight, and 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, call 375-4477.

Dec. 20-23:Dreaming of a Christmas classic: Onstage at the Gainesville Community Playhouse is “White Christmas,” an adaptation of the classic 1954 film featuring such Irving Berlin songs as “I Love a Piano,” “Snow” and the title track. Final performances are 8 p.m. today through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call 376-4949.

Dec. 20-24:Suwannee Christmas extravaganza: The Spirit of Suwannee Music Mark in Live Oak hosts its Christmas Lights Extravaganza, featuring a driving tour of the park with numerous stops and attractions along the way. Visitors driving through the illuminated park will hear such performers as the Puppetone Rockers, Dave Blazer by the Campfire and the Kazoobie Guy and also can enjoy a walking tour featuring hot cocoa, Santa’s workshop, gift shops in the Crafts Village and nightly karaoke. Adult admission is $6 Sunday through Thursday and $8 Friday and Saturday with $2 admission for children 4-12. Hours for Suwannee Lights are 6-10 p.m., with the SOS Cafe and Restaurant open starting at 5 p.m. For more information, call 386-364-1683.

Dec. 20-30:Festival of lights at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center: The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs hosts the annual Festival of Lights featuring more than 5 million Christmas lights along with other decorations and activities. From dusk to 9 p.m. daily, visitors can take in the lights and enjoy s’more roasts, gingerbread, a train display and a candy cane forest. Admission is $2, free for children three and under. The event runs through December but is Closed Christmas day.

Dec. 21:Alien invaders: Children can learn about alien invaders — not from outer space but in their own backyard — in Friday’s edition of the School Holiday Camp program at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The program for students from kindergarten through fifth grade offers activities and hands-on exploration to dive into the sciences and investigate natural history when school isn’t in session. Hours Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with pre-registration required by calling 273-2061. Costs range from $27 to $50.

Dec. 21-22:Danish dance: The Gainesville Ballet Theatre stages its production of “The Little Match Girl” based on the story by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The holiday production tells the story of a poor little girl keeping herself warm by the matches her father forces her to sell while being visited by her grandmother’s ghost. Performances are planned Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Phillips Center. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students, seniors and children on Friday; $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger on Saturday. Children 8 and younger receive free admission on Saturday with an unwrapped, new toy of $10 or more value. For tickets, call 392-2787.

Dec. 21-22 and 28-29:Transcontinental Christmas express: The High Springs Leos and Lions Club present their “Holiday Celebration Around The World” event with lights and decorations from around the world along with a children’s train ride, Santa’s workshop and an opportunity to visit Santa and take photos. Activities run from dusk to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday as well on Dec. 28 and 29 at the High Springs Lions Club, 26900 U.S. 27, High Springs. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item in lieu of donation. For more information, call 386-262-4521.

Dec. 26-29:Harry marathon at the Alachua County Library: Over the span of four days the Alachua County Library will screen all Harry Potter films as a fun activity for teens home for winter break. Screenings run from noon to 5 p.m. beginning with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and conclude Dec. 29 with both parts of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

Dec. 28:Early rock ’n’ roll New Years ring-in: Saint Augustine music fans have a chance to celebrate New Years on Dec. 28 with a full slate of local and nationally touring acts sharing the stage at Shanghai Nobby’s. Nashville punks Natural Child headline while Crescent Beach roots mutants Rivernecks celebrate the release of their first full-length album. Also performing are the all-female Orlando indie-pop trio Wet Nurse and St. Augustine “swamp-folk” trio Wetlands. Doors open at 7 p.m. at Shanghai Nobby’s, 10 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine. Admission is $10. Call 904-547-2188 for more information.